Ireland West Airport Knock: 'The handiness of cost-effective commuting is there for all to see'

As a person who hails from the east of the island, it was always given that I would travel to Dublin Airport to ‘catch’ a flight.

That was until I moved west, almost ten years ago now.

The convenience of Ireland West Airport Knock is uncommon, to say the least, compared to the many other airports scattered around Europe and beyond.

“Is it true that it takes only five minutes to get through security?!” I was once asked, referring to the lightning-fast security wait times compared to the nation’s largest airport.

I would have had the same disbelief if I had not become accustomed to using Knock’s travel system. From the UK to Spain, the handiness of cost-effective commuting is there for all to see and luckily for us, it’s right on our doorstep.

I know, you might say, the counter-argument is that there are not enough flight options. The airport still offers passengers the chance to travel to 22 cities.

Additionally, If a location is not on the Knock map, it’s not impossible to reach your desired destination.

I recall, that in September of last year, I used the airport to connect through London to make my way to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. It may seem a bit mad but it was a smooth connection and a lot less hassle than travelling to Dublin for a direct flight - not to mention the money saved!

During my younger years, I believed that the only way to travel abroad was through the capital. Thankfully now, those days of waiting for the airport shuttle, being stuck in the security line and standing idly around due to a lack of seating in the shopping/eating area are forgotten.

2023 saw Ireland West Aiport welcome 818,000 passengers to the airport - a 13% increase on the year before, affirming it as the busiest year since the airport’s official opening in 1986. Not to mention that the first quarter of 2024 has proven to be the busiest on record, with 159,000 passengers passing through its doors.

“That ten euro development fee is a joke,” is a line I overheard while walking through the departure lounge not so long ago. Fair enough, that’s an opinion, but I can assure you, I’d rather pay that ‘tenner’ towards the airport’s infrastructure development and maintenance than be forced to travel through the chaos of Dublin Airport.